Utah Kicks Off 2012 Season

Grassroots off-road series showing promising growth

TOOELE VALLEY, UTAH (May 8, 2012) — The newly-created Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series – Utah kicked off its 2012 season on the Off Road Short Course at Miller Motorsports Park this past Saturday, May 5.

The regional racers set out on Friday afternoon to test their vehicles on the track. Some had not been in their race cars since last season, and some were testing new vehicles for the first time. In addition, there were many newcomers to the series, some of whom traveled from as far away as Colorado to participate. The new series is growing briskly, as the participation has more than doubled since its inception last summer.

Friday’s open practice served to prepare everyone for Saturday’s events. Saturday’s schedule included sessions for practice and test and tune prior to heat and feature races. At the end of the day, the racing was great and the racers had a good time!

The Tuff Trucks class was up first in the feature races, and the results were:

1st – Brady Sessions

2nd – John Williams

3rd – Randy Potter

Three new buggies hit the track with Scott Viers, Dillon Reimer and Kelly Davis as well as the returning Roice Arnold, with the results of the Buggy class as follows:

1st – Scott Viers

2nd – Dillon Reimer

3rd – Kelly Davis

Davis took third after hitting the wall and losing a wheel on the fourth lap while attempting to avoid a two-car pile-up in front of him. Arnold had some distributor issues and didn’t make the main event, but will be back out in June ready for the checkered flag!!

The Junior 1 class had a new face with eight-year-old Annie Sessions; she did an amazing job on the track, and is one to watch in the future.

The results of the Junior 1 race:

1st – Megan Daugherty

2nd – Annie Sessions

3rd – Breckan Daugherty

Daugherty, the youngest racer in the series, will soon be another force to be reckoned with!

The Junior 2 and Modified classes were combined in a staggered manner in order to provide some competition. The Junior 2 Drivers consisted of Blaise Daugherty, Sam Baird and Emma Daugherty. A brand-new Modified Kart was driven by Carson Cornia. Carson took off from the start in his new ride, but unfortunately broke a chain on Lap 4.

The results:

1st – Sam Baird

2nd – Blaise Daugherty

3rd – Carson Cornia – Modified

The UTV class is growing well, with new UTVs hitting the track this weekend. Marcy Cornia brought out her SR1, took some practice laps with it and handed the seat over to her son Tucker, who tore up the track with it. Randy Potter also brought a shiny new UTV that is new to the series.

The entire crowd enjoyed watching Patrick Clark, who races in the Pro 2 class in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, take some laps in his Pro 2 truck. It was great to have him on hand to give the young racers a look at where their off-road racing career could end up.

Thanks to all the track staff for volunteering their time, to Miller Motorsports Park for hosting us, and to all the fans who came out to enjoy the show.

Subsequent dates for the 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series – Utah season are June 16, July 7, August 18 and October 6, with the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Shootout scheduled for November 10 in Las Vegas.